Israel’s police force stated Sunday that a group of Palestinian youths in the compound "threw stones and fireworks at police and border police forces", who responded with "riot dispersal means.”

At this time of heightened tension in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been making bids to alter the rules of engagement for Israeli police.

Last Thursday, The Israeli Security Cabinet voted unanimously in favour of introducing a range of harsh measures against those who throw stones and firebombs.

These measures will allow Israeli police to use low-powered sniper rifles against stone-throwers, alongside four year minimum sentences for those convicted of throwing stones and firebombs.

Israel’s defence establishment is also considering introducing administrative detention for those involved in the clashes at Al Aqsa. The Shin Bet security service has identified a group of 30-50 Arab youths who are leading the clashes, The Times of Israelreports.

Erekat has labelled these measures inhumane, and accused Israel of continuing to “incite against Palestinian lives, with a culture of hate that dehumanizes a whole nation.”

Israeli forces first entered the compound on Sept. 13, in the most recent wave of incursions, and have maintained a high security presence in the Old City since. Israeli forces have been restricting Muslim entry to the compound whilst allowing Jewish groups to tour the site.

Many Palestinians fear that Israel is attempting to change the rules governing the site, which currently allow Muslims to pray at Al Aqsa, and Jews at the Western Wall nearby. Clashes have broken out across Jerusalem and the West Bank in recent weeks in protest of Israeli presence at the site.

On Sunday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned the UN General Assembly of the potential danger which may arise from recent events at Al Aqsa.

Abbas told world leaders during a series of meetings that "the whole world" should be aware of what is happening at Al Aqsa, Ma’an News Agencyreported.

Erekat has been quoted as asking, "does president Obama think he can beat ISIS and terrorism, or achieve peace and security in the Middle East by ignoring the constant Israeli occupation, settlement activity, and attacks on al-Aqsa mosque?”